KUWAIT: The Gulf Union for Combating Cancer is set to host the 13th Annual Conference of the Gulf Union for the Fight Against Cancer in collaboration with the Kuwait Society for Smoking and Cancer Prevention. The regional conference will take place on February 2 and 3, 2026, at the Symphony Hotel, under the patronage of the Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi.
According to Dr Khalid Ahmed Al-Saleh, Chairman of the Conference, the gathering coincides with the significant achievement of the Gulf Union becoming an observer in the World Health Organization (WHO). This new status aligns the union’s strategies with global public health priorities, enhancing regional cooperation on early detection, scientific research and training.
The conference will host 40 experts and specialists from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and across the globe. A key feature of the program is a specialized workshop entitled “Continuous Care for Cancer Survivors – A Gulf Experience”. The scientific committee of the conference has received over 34 research papers from around the world for a competition that will award a cash prize to the best scientific research at the conclusion of the event.
Scientific data currently places the GCC countries as having the best cancer recovery rates in the Middle East, said Dr Al-Saleh. Recent statistics from the Gulf Statistical Center reveal that the GCC recorded approximately 31,700 cancer cases in 2023, with females accounting for 54.2 percent of the cases. This results in an incidence rate of 90 cases per 100,000 population, which remains significantly lower than the global average of 196.9 per 100,000. Efforts continue across the region to address risk factors like smoking and obesity.
Dr Hussa Al-Shahin
The conference also serves as a launchpad for the 11th Gulf Cancer Awareness Week, running from February 1 to 7, 2026. Dr Hussa Majid Al-Shahin, Chair of the Coordinating Committee, announced that more than 50 entities are participating in this initiative under the theme “United in Excellence”.
The awareness week aims to promote a culture of health awareness regarding initial cancer symptoms. It also emphasizes the critical importance of early detection and encourages balanced lifestyles to reduce tumor risk factors. An exhibition featuring members of the Coordinating Committee will be held on the sidelines of the conference’s opening ceremony, which is scheduled to begin at 9:00 am on February 2. This collaborative effort between the Gulf Union for Combating Cancer and the Gulf Health Council seeks to provide unique support for both cancer survivors and healthy individuals throughout the region.
